Woman dead after car plunges into river, floats dangerously close to brink of Niagara Falls

A woman is dead after the car she was driving plunged into a river and floated dangerously close to the brink of Niagara Falls.

New York State Parks Police confirmed they were called before 12 p.m. on Wednesday after the car became stuck in the rapids less than 100 metres from the American side of the falls.

Police said they determined from eye witnesses that one person was in the vehicle and an emergency operation was launched.

A diver was lowered from a hovering helicopter, climbed into the car and pulled out the body of its lone occupant, authorities said.